Historical information

These photographs, taken by The Advocate in 1991, accompanied a feature article on what became known locally as the “St Albans Bread Wars”.

The dispute began almost two years earlier between the proprietors of two neighbouring businesses in the small Leslie Street shopping precinct in St Albans.

For many years, the popular Hot Bread Kitchen had traded primarily in bread and cakes. Following a change of ownership, however, the new proprietors diversified their product range to include milk, soft drinks and other convenience items.

This expansion concerned nearby milk bar owner Tony Abouzeid, who responded by introducing bread sales in direct competition. In turn, the Hot Bread Kitchen broadened its offerings further, stocking a wider range of grocery items including eggs, flour, napkins and other household essentials.

Competition between the two businesses soon escalated into an aggressive price war. As Tony Abouzeid reduced the price of bread, the rival bakery responded in kind, driving the cost of a loaf from around $2.00 to as little as 60 cents.

The intense competition attracted customers from across the area and began to affect trade at other St Albans retailers, many of whom struggled to compete with the heavily discounted prices offered by the two stores.

Physical description

Collection of digitally scanned negatives

Inscriptions & markings

7444.01 - Tony Abouzeid Leslie Street Milk Bar St. Albans 1991 Photographs (Advocate 492.1).JPG

7444.02 - Tony Abouzeid Leslie Street Milk Bar St. Albans 1991 Photographs (Advocate 492.1).JPG

7444.03 - Tony Abouzeid Leslie Street Milk Bar St. Albans 1991 Photographs (Advocate 492.1).JPG